2023-11-13 14:00:57
Par Tristan Vey
Published 36 minutes ago, Updated 31 minutes ago
“Even if the risk of collision with an asteroid is very low, the consequences are so serious that it would be regrettable not to prepare,” said astrophysicist Patrick Michel. Franck Fernandes/PHOTOPQR/NICE MATIN/MAXPPP
INTERVIEW – In a book, the astrophysicist recounts the missions which allowed us to better understand these stars, in particular the “near-cruisers” capable of cutting off Earth’s orbit.
Astrophysicist at the Côte d’Azur Observatory, research director at the CNRS, Patrick Michel is a world-renowned specialist in asteroids. He publishes a fascinating book, Meeting the asteroids (Odile Jacob), in which he synthesizes our knowledge on the subject while illuminating it with his personal anecdotes, in particular his involvement in the numerous robotic exploration missions in which he has participated.
LE FIGARO.- Has working on space missions always been your dream?
Patrick MICHEL. – I have to be honest: when I was 8 years old, I wasn’t particularly interested in space, other than Star Wars ! I grew up in my parents’ hotel in Saint-Tropez, where movie stars stayed. But I quickly understood that the only ones that could be described and understood were in the sky. It was my final year physics teacher who opened my eyes. He explained to us that from mathematics…
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#Asteroids #threat #lightly